U.S. tariffs, by country and week

U.S. Import Tariffs on Cars

When you import a passenger car into the U.S., you'll generally pay a tariff of 2.5% of the vehicle's value. This applies to most standard cars, including sedans, station wagons, and similar vehicles.

Special cases:

• Electric cars (battery-only) also face the standard 2.5% rate
• Hybrid vehicles (gas-electric or diesel-electric) are taxed at the same 2.5%
• Snowmobiles and specialized vehicles may have slightly different rates

However, additional duties may significantly increase the cost depending on where the car comes from. For example, cars imported from China could face extra tariffs that push the total cost much higher. If you're considering importing a car, the country of origin matters a lot—let me know the source country for a more precise estimate.

Trade agreements: Cars from Canada or Mexico may qualify for duty-free or reduced-rate treatment under the USMCA trade agreement, potentially avoiding the 2.5% tariff altogether if they meet specific manufacturing requirements.

Steel Import Tariffs - Quick Overview

Steel products imported into the United States are generally duty-free under standard tariff rates. This applies to most steel pipes, tubes, fittings, bars, rods, and flat-rolled products.

However, additional duties often apply depending on where the steel comes from. Steel is one of the most heavily affected products by special trade measures, including:

• Section 232 tariffs
• 25% additional duty on steel from most countries (imposed for national security reasons)
• Section 301 tariffs
• Additional duties on Chinese steel products (often 25% on top of other rates)
• Antidumping and countervailing duties
• Extra charges on steel from specific countries to counter unfair pricing

To get an accurate total tariff rate, you need to specify: 1. What type of steel product - pipe, sheet, bar, wire, etc. 2. Which country it's coming from - China, Canada, Vietnam, etc.

For example, steel pipe fittings from Canada or Mexico may qualify for duty-free treatment under the USMCA trade agreement, while the same fittings from China could face 25-50% in combined tariffs.

If you tell me the specific steel product and country of origin, I can provide the exact rate you'd pay.

Tariffs on iPhones

Good news: iPhones are currently duty-free when imported into the U.S.

Smartphones like iPhones fall under a category that has no tariff. This means when Apple (or anyone else) brings iPhones into the country, they don't pay any import tax on them.

However, there's an important catch: If iPhones are imported from certain countries that don't have normal trade relations with the U.S. (like North Korea or Cuba), a much higher rate of 35% would apply. But since iPhones are primarily manufactured in China and other countries with normal trade status, this higher rate doesn't currently affect them.

Keep in mind: Trade policies can change. Additional tariffs beyond the standard rates have been imposed on various products from certain countries in recent years. If you're asking because you're concerned about future price increases, it's worth noting that any new tariffs specifically targeting smartphones or Chinese electronics could potentially affect iPhone prices, but those would be new policy decisions separate from the standard tariff rates.

Coffee Import Tariffs

Good news for coffee lovers: coffee beans imported into the U.S. are duty-free, whether they're regular or decaffeinated, roasted or unroasted. You won't pay any tariff when importing raw coffee beans.

Instant coffee is also duty-free, so those jars of freeze-dried coffee aren't taxed when they come into the country.

However, additional tariffs may apply depending on where your coffee comes from. Recent trade measures have added extra duties on goods from certain countries. If you're buying coffee from a specific country and want to know if any additional charges apply, let me know the source country for a more precise answer.

Coffee makers and accessories have different tariff rates:

• Electric coffee makers typically carry a 3.7% tariff
• Insulated coffee servers and thermal carafes are generally duty-free

The zero-tariff policy on coffee beans and instant coffee helps keep your morning cup affordable, whether you're buying Colombian, Ethiopian, Brazilian, or Vietnamese coffee.

U.S. Import Tariffs on Produce

Fresh fruits and vegetables imported into the U.S. generally face low or no tariffs, but the rates vary significantly depending on the specific product and country of origin.

Common Fresh Produce Tariffs:

Vegetables:

• Tomatoes, bell peppers, and squash: Small tariffs ranging from free to about 4.4¢ per kilogram, depending on the time of year they're imported
• Spinach: 20% tariff
• Mushrooms: Around 5.7¢/kg plus 8% of value
• Brussels sprouts: 12.5-14% depending on preparation
• Onions and many other vegetables: Typically duty-free or under 5%

Fruits:

• Bananas and plantains: Duty-free when fresh
• Blueberries, cranberries, and blackberries: Duty-free
• Dates: 13.2¢/kg in small packages, or around 1-3¢/kg in larger quantities
• Figs: Around 6-9¢/kg
• Pineapples: Less than 1¢/kg in bulk, about 1.1¢/kg packaged
• Avocados, mangoes, kiwifruit: Duty-free or around 2%

Country-Specific Considerations:

The actual tariff you pay can be much lower if the produce comes from countries with U.S. trade agreements (like Mexico, Canada, Chile, Peru, or Colombia). Many of these agreements provide duty-free access for most fresh produce.

However, additional duties may apply depending on the country of origin. Some countries face extra tariffs due to trade disputes or lack of normal trade relations. If you're buying produce from a specific country, that detail would help provide a more precise answer.

Bottom line: Most common fresh produce enters the U.S. with minimal or no tariffs, especially from nearby trading partners like Mexico and Canada.

Wine Import Tariffs

Wine imported into the U.S. faces relatively low tariffs, though the exact amount depends on the type of wine and where it comes from.

Standard wines (the kind you'd typically buy at a store, with 14% alcohol or less) are charged around 6-14 cents per liter - which works out to just a few cents per bottle. For example, a regular bottle of table wine from most countries would cost about 8 cents in import tax. Higher-alcohol wines (over 14%) face slightly higher rates of about 22 cents per liter.

Sparkling wines (like Champagne or Prosecco) have a flat rate of about 20 cents per liter, or roughly 15 cents per standard bottle.

Important exception: Some premium white wines from certain European countries face much higher duties - up to 200% of their value - as part of a trade dispute. This applies to wines valued over $1.05 per liter (essentially, anything above basic table wine quality) from specific countries. If you're buying European wines, this could significantly affect the price.

Most wines from countries with U.S. trade agreements (including many in Latin America, Asia, and Australia) enter duty-free, meaning no tariff at all. The specific country of origin matters quite a bit - wines from Mexico, Chile, Australia, and many other trade partners face no import taxes, while European wines may face the penalties mentioned above depending on the ongoing trade situation.

U.S. Import Tariffs on Shoes

Shoes imported into the U.S. have widely varying tariff rates depending on the materials, style, and price. Here's what you need to know:

Most common shoes (with rubber/plastic soles and various upper materials) typically face tariffs ranging from free (0%) to 37.5% of the product's value. However, many fall in the 8.5% to 20% range. Athletic shoes like sneakers and basketball shoes can face tariffs around 20% for higher-priced pairs, while leather dress shoes might be 8.5% to 10%.

Price matters: Cheaper shoes (under $3/pair) may enter duty-free, while shoes priced $6.50-$12 per pair often face both a fixed amount per pair (like 90¢) plus a percentage (like 20%). Shoes over $12/pair typically face a straight percentage rate.

Important: Additional tariffs may apply depending on where the shoes come from. Shoes from certain countries face extra duties on top of these standard rates. If you're wondering about shoes from a specific country (like China, Vietnam, or Mexico), let me know and I can give you a more accurate answer about the total cost.

U.S. Import Tariffs on Pharmaceuticals

Good news: Most pharmaceuticals entering the U.S. are duty-free.

The vast majority of prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, vaccines, medical supplies, and vitamin products can be imported into the United States without paying any tariff. This includes:

• Prescription medications containing antibiotics, hormones (like insulin), pain relievers, heart medications, and most other therapeutic drugs
• Over-the-counter medicines like aspirin, cold remedies, antacids, and allergy medications
• Vaccines and biological products used for disease prevention and treatment
• Medical supplies like bandages, surgical dressings, and wound care products coated with pharmaceutical substances
• Vitamins and supplements including B vitamins, Vitamin E, and combination products

A few exceptions exist where small tariffs may apply, but these are uncommon:

• Vitamin products with specific synthetic ingredients might have nominal rates (typically a few cents per kilogram plus a small percentage), but these rarely affect retail prices
• Products from certain countries without normal trade relations (like Cuba or North Korea) face higher rates, but this affects very few pharmaceutical imports

Important note about additional duties: While standard pharmaceutical tariffs are generally zero, some drugs may be subject to additional duties depending on which country they come from. These extra charges are part of broader trade measures and can vary significantly. If you're concerned about a specific medication from a particular country, knowing the source country will help determine if any additional duties apply.

Bottom line: U.S. policy intentionally keeps pharmaceutical tariffs at or near zero to ensure medications remain affordable and accessible for consumers. This is one area where import taxes have minimal impact on what you pay at the pharmacy.

U.S. Import Tariffs on Lumber

When you import lumber into the United States, the tariff you pay depends on the type of wood and where it's coming from.

Standard Tariffs

Most lumber imports are duty-free under normal trade circumstances. This includes:

• Raw logs and timber (wood in the rough)
• Sawn lumber from pine, spruce, fir, and other common species
• Lumber that's been planed, sanded, or treated with preservatives

However, there's an important additional 10% tariff that currently applies to softwood timber and lumber products (like pine, spruce, fir, cedar, and hemlock). This extra duty went into effect in October 2025 as part of national security trade measures.

Special Exceptions

The 10% additional tariff is capped or reduced for lumber from certain countries:

• United Kingdom: Maximum 10% total (so the extra tariff may not apply fully)
• Japan and European Union: Maximum 15% total

What This Means for You

If you're buying lumber or lumber products:

• Domestic lumber has no import tariffs
• Softwood lumber (pine, fir, spruce, cedar) from most countries will cost about 10% more due to tariffs
• Hardwood lumber (oak, maple, walnut) generally comes in duty-free
• Lumber from Canada and Mexico typically qualifies for duty-free treatment under USMCA, but may still be subject to the additional 10% softwood duty

The specific rate can vary depending on whether the lumber is rough-cut or finished, and additional duties may apply based on the country of origin and current trade relationships.

U.S. Import Tariffs on Cabinets

Standard Tariff: Most cabinets imported into the U.S. come in duty-free (no tariff). This applies to general household and office cabinets made of wood, metal, or plastic.

Important Exception - Kitchen Cabinets & Vanities: If you're importing finished kitchen cabinets or bathroom vanities (or their parts), there's an additional 25% tariff on top of the standard rate. This extra duty applies regardless of where the cabinet is made, though the exact rate can vary slightly by country of origin.

What This Means for Your Wallet:

• A filing cabinet for your office: No tariff
• A bedroom dresser or living room cabinet: No tariff
• A complete kitchen cabinet set or bathroom vanity: Standard rate (usually $0) + 25% additional duty

The additional duty on kitchen and bathroom cabinets can significantly increase the final price you pay. If you're buying these items, expect the import taxes to be passed along in the retail price.

Bottom Line: Regular household and office cabinets are generally tariff-free, but kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities face substantial additional duties that make them more expensive to import.